Systems and methods for providing self-services over television

ABSTRACT

Cable and satellite television systems, televisions, and universal remotes are used to provide interactive financial self-services to users. The cable or satellite system provides a connection between a user and a financial services company. A television or other display device connects to the cable or satellite system and displays content from the financial services company to a user. The user may enter data and navigate through the content via a back channel using a universal remote or other input device. The user may thus complete the content, such as completing a loan application, opening a bank account, or purchasing insurance. The user may provide authentication information to receive personalized content.

BACKGROUND

Currently, financial services companies provide users with self-serviceaccess to financial services via telephone, the Internet, and/or inperson at the company. However, some users do not have Internet access,and some users are not able to travel to the financial services companyin person. Additionally, some financial services cannot be properlyprovided, described, or completed by a user over the telephone.

SUMMARY

Cable and satellite television systems, televisions, and universalremotes are used to provide interactive financial self-services tousers. The cable or satellite system provides a connection between auser and a financial services company. A television or other displaydevice connects to the cable or satellite system, and displays contentfrom the financial services company to a user. The user may enter dataand navigate the content using a universal remote or other input device,via a back channel. The user may thus complete the content, such ascompleting a loan application, opening a bank account, or purchasinginsurance. The user may provide authentication information to receivepersonalized content.

Instead of providing data through a universal remote or other inputdevice, the user may speak with a service representative on a telephonewhile the content is being televised. The representative mayauthenticate the user and, based on the discussion with the user, enterdata that is then displayed as content. The representative may provideother assistance to the user via the telephone.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there isshown in the drawings example constructions of the embodiments; however,the embodiments are not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an implementation of a system for providingfinancial services over a television;

FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart of an implementation of a method forproviding financial services over a television;

FIG. 3 is a operational flowchart of another implementation of a methodfor providing financial services over a television;

FIG. 4 is an operational flowchart of another implementation of a methodfor providing financial services over a television;

FIG. 5 is an operational flowchart of another implementation of a methodfor providing financial services; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example computing environment in whichexample embodiments and aspects may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an implementation of a system for providingfinancial services over a television. An entity 10, such as a financialservices company, maintains a repository 15 of content in areas ofinsurance, trading, and banking, for example, comprising financialforms, documents, applications, products, services, etc. directed toloan application processing, loan closings, insurance applications,proof of insurance, claims status, money movement between accounts,trading, annuity or whole life values and payouts, etc., for example.

Content in the repository 15 may be transmitted via a satellitetelevision system 30 or a cable television system 35, for example, to atelevision 55, associated with a user 50. In this manner, the user 50may view and interact with the content on the television 55. Satellitetelevision and cable television systems are well known and theirdescriptions are omitted for brevity. In an implementation, thetelevision 55 may be any device that may receive a televisiontransmission by waves or by a network.

Because the content is provided over a satellite television system 30 ora cable television system 35, for example, interactive television may beused. The content and related software may be stored and/or executedlocally on a set-top box or other appropriate device associated with thetelevision 55. This allows a user 50 to directly interact with thecontent displayed on the television 55 via a universal remote 60 orother input device, for example. In an implementation, a return path(also referred to herein as a back channel) from the television 55 tothe entity 10 is provided. This return path can be by telephone, mobileSMS (text messages), radio, digital subscriber lines (ADSL), or cable,for example. An authenticator 40 may be used to authenticate the uservia a login technique, e.g., involving a password, code, credential,key, etc. Set-top boxes, universal remotes, and authenticationtechniques are well known and their descriptions are omitted forbrevity.

In an implementation, a telephone 65 may be associated with the user,and may be connected with the phone of a service representative 20 viaany conventional telephone connection or telephone network 25. Thus,during the televising of content to a user, the user may speak with aservice representative 20 on the telephone 65 about the content that isbeing provided to the television 55.

The entity 10 may use one or more computing devices 12 in providingfinancial services to a user via the television 55. An example computingdevice is described below with respect to FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 1,software modules 17 are shown that may be used in the performance of theexample techniques described herein in conjunction with the othervarious elements and components of the systems described herein. Examplesoftware modules include modules for generating and/or personalizingfinancial services content, retrieving content, and preparing contentfor televising, described further herein. While specific functionalityis described herein as occurring with respect to specific modules, thefunctionality may likewise be performed by more, fewer, or othermodules. The functionality may be distributed among more than onemodule.

FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart of an implementation of a method 200for providing financial services over a television. At operation 205, auser requests some content, such as a mortgage loan application, an autoloan application, or a savings account application, for example, from anentity such as a financial services company, bank, or other institution.The request may be made via a telephone call, facsimile, or letter, forexample, to the entity. Alternately, the content may be requested,desired, or initiated by the entity or another entity, such as a thirdparty entity.

At operation 210, the request is received, and the content is generatedand/or retrieved from storage, such as a repository or other datastorage device. For example, a loan application or other type ofapplication or document may be retrieved from storage and pre-filledwith personalized data pertaining to the user and the transaction (e.g.,user name and address, loan amount, rate, term, etc.).

At operation 220, the user is notified that the personalized contentwill be televised. The notification may include the date and time thatthe requested content will be televised, along with the televisionchannel on which it will be televised. The notification may take theform of a telephone call, facsimile, or letter, for example.

Alternatively, in an implementation, it is contemplated that the usermay select the date and time that he would like the requested content tobe televised. The user may provide this request to the entity via atelephone call, facsimile, or letter, for example. The user may thenreceive notification confirming the date and time that the personalizedcontent will be televised, along with the television channel on which itwill be televised. The notification may take the form of a telephonecall, facsimile, or letter, for example.

At operation 230, the content is televised at the predetermined date andtime, and on the predetermined channel. The user selects the properchannel on his television at the proper date and time and may bepresented with a login screen, at operation 240. The user then logs inand authenticates himself, at operation 250, to the entity or anauthentication authority, using any of the well known authenticationtechniques involving a predetermined code, key, password, etc. The dataprovided by the user for the authentication may be entered via theuniversal remote or other input device. In this manner, only anauthorized user may access the personalized content that is beingtelevised.

After a successful authentication, the personalized content is televisedat operation 260 (any type of encryption and decryption of the televisedcontent may be used), and the user may interact with it, e.g., byscrolling through pages, pausing and playing, entering data into fields,applying a signature, etc., by using the universal remote or other inputdevice, at operation 270. As noted above, depending on theimplementation, the back channel from the television to the entity,authentication authority, etc. may be by telephone, mobile SMS (textmessages), radio, digital subscriber lines (ADSL), or cable, forexample. Cable television viewers receive their television via a cable,and in some platforms, they may use the same cable as that used by aback channel. Satellite television viewers may return information to thebroadcaster via their regular telephone lines, although other datacommunications technology may also be used.

After the user has completed his interaction with the content, he maylog out, thereby ending the interactive television session, at operation280. The content may then be stored and processed by the entity (e.g., aloan application may be processed, a bank account may be opened, etc.).The user therefore is able to view and complete the content, such asapplying for a loan or opening a bank account, for example, withoutphysically visiting the entity and without the user having to log on toa personal computer or the Internet, for example. Thus, paperlessself-service is provided by the method 200.

In an implementation, the user and a service representative may confervia telephone about the content being televised, its instructions, andrelated information, for example. Either the user or the servicerepresentative may initiate the call.

FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart of another implementation of a method300 for providing financial services over a television. Here, thecontent may be personalized and delivered via television as inoperations 205-230 of the implementation of the method 200 shown in FIG.2. A telephone connection may act as the back channel between the entityand the user's television. After operation 230 in FIG. 3, at operation340, the user authenticates himself over the telephone to a servicerepresentative or an authentication authority, for example. The user mayprovide a predetermined code, key, password, or other identifier(s), viathe telephone for authentication.

After a successful authentication, the personalized content is televisedat operation 350, with any appropriate type of encryption and decryptionof the televised content being used. While the content is beingtelevised, the user and the service representative may be incommunication via the telephone, at operation 360. The representativemay provide assistance or other information to the user about thetelevised content, and the user may in turn provide authorization orother information to the representative about the televised content, atoperation 370. The representative may enter this information andauthorization into the content to complete it, at operation 380, and thesession ends. The content may then be processed and/or stored, forexample. The content may therefore be completed with a user using thetelephone and the television, without a personal visit to the entity andwithout the use of a personal computer or the Internet, for example.

FIG. 4 is an operational flowchart of another implementation of a method400 for providing financial services over a television. Here, thecontent that is initially delivered via television is not personalizedto a particular user; instead, it is standardized so as to be relevantto many users such as a group or population of users. The content may beinformation pertaining to a loan application, an account application, orother financial services, for example. The user may speak with arepresentative while the content is televised and have therepresentative prepare personalized content for him based on thestandardized delivered content, such as completing a loan application oropening an account, for example.

The content may be televised on a particular channel at a particulartime or times, on a set of channels at staggered times, or on a loopedtransmission shown repetitively throughout the day, so that a user mayselect a channel to view the content at a time that is convenient to theuser. Due to the various televising times on the various channels, theuser will not have to wait to view a particular portion of the content.

At operation 405, the content is generated and/or retrieved fromstorage. For example, a loan application or an account application maybe retrieved from storage. At operation 410, the content is televised ona particular channel or set of channels, at various predetermined times.The user selects the proper channel on his television and may view thecontent, at operation 420.

As in the implementation of the method 300 shown in FIG. 3, a telephoneconnection between the user and a service representative may act as theback channel between the entity and the user's television. At operation430, the user authenticates himself via telephone to a servicerepresentative or an authentication authority, for example, using apassword or other identifier(s), for example.

While the content is being televised, the user and the servicerepresentative may be in communication via the telephone, at operation440. The representative may provide assistance or other information tothe user about the content, and the user may in turn provideauthorization or other information to the representative about thetelevised content, at operation 450. The representative may enter thisinformation and authorization into the content to complete it, atoperation 460, and the session ends. As with the implementation of themethod 300 shown in FIG. 3, the content may thus be completed by a userusing the telephone and the television without a personal visit to theentity and without the use of a personal computer or the Internet, forexample.

FIG. 5 is an operational flowchart of another implementation of a method500 for providing financial services. The method of delivery of contentfrom an entity, such as entity 10, to a user, such as user 50, withreference to FIG. 1, is determined based on aspects such ascharacteristics of the content that is requested by a user and thetechnologies employed by the user.

At operation 505, similar to operation 205, a user requests some contentfrom an entity. At operation 510, the request is received, and theentity determines how to provide the content to the user and how tointeract with the user. In an implementation, the entity determines, atoperation 520, whether the user has a television on a cable televisionsystem or a satellite television system, and whether the television isequipped for interaction via a universal remote or other input device,at operation 530. If so, then the content may be prepared and deliveredusing the interactivity and features described with respect to theimplementation of the method 200 shown in FIG. 2, at operation 550.

If the user does have a television on a cable television system or asatellite television system, but does not have the equipment forinteraction via the television as determined at operation 530, then thecontent may be prepared and delivered over the television with theinteractivity occurring over the telephone with a representative, asdescribed with respect to the implementations of the method 300 shown inFIG. 3 or of the method 400 shown in FIG. 4, for example, at operation560.

If it is determined at operation 520 that the user does not have atelevision on a cable television system or a satellite televisionsystem, then the user may not be equipped for interactive financialservices over the television, and other methods may be used to deliverthe content, such as via telephone, facsimile, or via letter or mail,for example, at operation 540.

Alternately or additionally, the entity may determine that the requestedcontent is not suitable for interactive financial services over thetelevision at operation 515, and instead may determine that anothermethod should be used for content delivery, such as via telephone,facsimile, or via letter or mail, for example, at operation 540.Operation 515 may occur prior to determining whether the user has anappropriately equipped television or after. Content may not be suitablefor interactive financial services over the television if it is toosimple or too complex, too lengthy, has not yet been approved fortelevision delivery by regulators, or the user has indicated he hasbroadband Internet access and can access the content using the Internet,for example.

Exemplary Computing Arrangement

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary computing environment in which exampleembodiments and aspects may be implemented. The computing systemenvironment is only one example of a suitable computing environment andis not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality.

Numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing systemenvironments or configurations may be used. Examples of well knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use include, but are not limited to, personal computers,server computers, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, network personal computers (PCs),minicomputers, mainframe computers, embedded systems, distributedcomputing environments that include any of the above systems or devices,and the like.

Computer-executable instructions, such as program modules being executedby a computer may be used. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.Distributed computing environments may be used where tasks are performedby remote-processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork or other data transmission medium. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules and other data may be located in both localand remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 6, an exemplary system for implementing aspectsdescribed herein includes a computing device, such as computing device100. In its most basic configuration, computing device 100 typicallyincludes at least one processing unit 102 and system memory 104.Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device,system memory 104 may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)),non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.), orsome combination of the two. This most basic configuration isillustrated in FIG. 6 by dashed line 106.

Computing device 100 may have additional features/functionality. Forexample, computing device 100 may include additional storage (removableand/or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or opticaldisks or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 6 byremovable storage 108 and non-removable storage 110.

Computing device 100 typically includes a variety of computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by computing device 100 and includes both volatile andnon-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way ofexample, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprisecomputer storage media and communication media.

Computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data. System memory 104, removable storage 108,and non-removable storage 110 are all examples of computer storagemedia. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store the desired information and which can beaccessed by computing device 100. Any such computer storage media may bepart of computing device 100.

Computing device 100 may also contain communications connection(s) 112that allow the device to communicate with other devices. Communicationsconnection(s) 112 is an example of communication media. Communicationmedia typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. The term “computer-readable media” asused herein includes both storage media and communication media.

Computing device 100 may also have input device(s) 114 such as keyboard,mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Outputdevice(s) 116 such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also beincluded. All these devices are well known in the art and need not bediscussed at length here.

It should be understood that the various techniques described herein maybe implemented in connection with hardware or software or, whereappropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods and apparatusof the presently disclosed subject matter, or certain aspects orportions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions)embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, harddrives, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when theprogram code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as acomputer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the presentlydisclosed subject matter. In the case of program code execution onprogrammable computers, the computing device generally includes aprocessor, a storage medium readable by the processor (includingvolatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. One or more programs mayimplement or utilize the processes described in connection with thepresently disclosed subject matter, e.g., through the use of anapplication program interface (API), reusable controls, or the like.Such programs are preferably implemented in a high-level procedural orobject-oriented programming language to communicate with a computersystem. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly ormachine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be acompiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardwareimplementations.

Although exemplary embodiments may refer to utilizing aspects of thepresently disclosed subject matter in the context of one or morestand-alone computer systems, the subject matter is not so limited, butrather may be implemented in connection with any computing environment,such as a network or distributed computing environment. Still further,aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented inor across a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage maysimilarly be effected across a plurality of devices. Such devices mightinclude personal computers, network servers, and handheld devices, forexample.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising aplurality of computer-readable instructions tangibly embodied on thecomputer-readable storage medium, which, when executed by a dataprocessor, provide televised financial services, the plurality ofinstructions comprising: instructions that cause the data processor totelevise financial services content on a television; instructions that,after the financial services have been televised, cause the dataprocessor to receive user input data pertaining to the televisedfinancial services content; instructions that cause the data processorto create personalized financial services content by incorporating thereceived user input data into the televised financial services content;instructions that, prior to televising the personalized financialservices content, cause the data processor to send a notification to theuser that the personalized financial services content will be televised;and instructions that cause the data processor to televise thepersonalized financial services content on a broadcast televisionchannel.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim1, wherein the instructions that televise the personalized financialservices content comprise instructions to televise the personalizedfinancial services content at a predetermined time on a predeterminedchannel.
 3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 1,wherein the instructions that televise the personalized financialservices content comprise instructions to televise the personalizedfinancial services content at a plurality of times.
 4. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 1, wherein the userinput is received via telephone.
 5. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage of claim 1, wherein the notification provides notice to the userthat the personalized financial services content will be televised at aparticular time on a particular broadcast television channel.
 6. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 1, further comprisinginstructions that authenticate the user via telephone.
 7. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 1, wherein theinstructions that televise the personalized financial services contentcomprise instructions to televise the personalized financial servicescontent upon authentication of the user.
 8. A televised financialservices system comprising: a memory; and a processor disposed incommunication with the memory and configured to issue processinginstructions stored in the memory to: televise financial servicescontent on a television; after the financial services have beentelevised, receive user input data pertaining to the televised financialservices content; create personalized financial services content byincorporating the received user input data into the televised financialservices content; prior to televising the personalized financialservices content, send a notification to the user that the personalizedfinancial services content will be televised; and televise thepersonalized financial services content on a broadcast televisionchannel.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions to televisethe personalized financial services content comprise instructions totelevise the personalized financial services content at a predeterminedtime on a predetermined channel.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein theinstructions to televise the personalized financial services contentcomprise instructions to televise the personalized financial servicescontent at a plurality of times.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein theuser input is received via telephone.
 12. The system of claim 8, whereinthe notification provides notice to the user that the personalizedfinancial services content will be televised at a particular time on aparticular broadcast television channel.
 13. The system of claim 8 theprocessor further configured to issue instructions to authenticate theuser via telephone.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructionsto televise the personalized financial services content compriseinstructions to televise the personalized financial services contentupon authentication of the user.
 15. A televised financial servicesprocessor-implemented method comprising: televising financial servicescontent on a television; after the financial services have beentelevised, receiving user input data pertaining to the televisedfinancial services content; creating personalized financial servicescontent via a processor by incorporating the received user input datainto the televised financial services content; and prior to televisingthe personalized financial services content, sending a notification tothe user that the personalized financial services content will betelevised; and televising the personalized financial services content ona broadcast television channel.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereintelevising financial services content comprises televising thepersonalized financial services content at a predetermined time on apredetermined channel.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein televisingthe personalized financial services content comprises televising thepersonalized financial services content at a plurality of times.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the user input is received via telephone.19. The method of claim 15, wherein the notification provides notice tothe user that the personalized financial services content will betelevised at a particular time on a particular broadcast televisionchannel.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: authenticatingthe user via telephone.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein televisingthe personalized financial services content comprises televising thepersonalized financial services content upon authentication of the user.